41 karma · joined January 14, 2010
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Write clear error messages that provide a way forward. Accept your system will have bugs, and ensure the system state is communicated to the user so they know if their TODO/Test/Reminder/Wish was stored/updated/deleted. Do your utmost to prevent data loss - even when that data hasn’t been formally introduced to your data storage of choice.
Developers should not worry about their sprints being blown because they have to use your APIs. Teams trying to pass off tasks or getting special commendations for dealing with your software should be embarrassing. If developers are wrapping your API in their API, are they doing it because they need the abstraction or because abstracting it once and tracking changes is easier than using it?
Ensure there are logs in place to assist debugging and documentation catered towards end-users, operations, support, and developers. Track relevant metrics to allow for automated fixes and manual intervention so users aren’t the ones having to remind you your software is broken.
Every piece of software has a user - a person, an organization, other code - and software that doesn’t make the user’s life easier increases the chance they’ll stop using it.
Or worse, start using it incorrectly!
Separately, the US has even greater pressure on Apple in the case they want to unilaterally add database images, considering they have a actual chance and means to jail (and run through the legal ringer) whomever tells them ‘no’. And that’s just the overt pressure available; I think this is a more likely potential for trust violation here, even if both could come to pass.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_University_of_Pittsburgh_b...
Stuxnet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g0pi4J8auQ
Google: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfV6RzE30
Apple: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj9JVXzoOYQ
There are more of these segments, but a lot of them have to do with Australian politics / corporations. I've watched them all because I adore the style but it might not be for everyone :)
In addition, there have been several labours of love which really showcase what's possible when you make a full production out of such a work, such as this amazing piece of kinetic typography / video done to Jonathan Coulton's Shop-Vac: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sOfO8Ei1g
Any potential company would have their work cut out for them to allow user-generated content to even get close to the above segments, but as the current crop of tools are general professional-level tools (Adobe After-Affects / Premiere or related) there's definitely a specialized gap here.
I have a Palm Pre and like it, but I may be missing something as I didn't run out to get one at launch...